<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Mimeoplasm|sld|1773" href="#" target="_blank">The Mimeoplasm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/leossart" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leonardo Santanna</a></em></p>
<p>Hello, and welcome back to <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>! We're heading back in time to another <em>Secret Lair</em> Drop. This time, however, is a first in our series: we're covering a reskinned commander. Moreover, it's a commander that's nostalgic to me, dating back to the original precons. It's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Mimeoplasm" href="#" target="_blank">The Mimeoplasm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, reskinned as Slimer, Voracious Apparation.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Mimeoplasm|sld|1773"></div></div>
<p>With that said, let's get into it.</p>
<h2>A New Disturbance</h2>
<p>Lore-wise, there isn't much to Slimer. He's a gluttonous ghost that wreaks havoc in kitchens everywhere while the Ghostbusters try to capture him. He's encountered within each adventure, but typically doesn't end up being the big villain.</p>
<p>How does all this relate to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Mimeoplasm" href="#" target="_blank">The Mimeoplasm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? My guess is that, since the dead it devoured advanced its form, something similar could be said about the food Slimer eats. Or, perhaps, they both have insatiable appetites.</p>
<p>Fortunately, like I said earlier, The Mimeoplasm's (henceforth known as Slimer until the end) been around for a long time. Crucially, the main strategy is to fill your graveyard (or everyone's), then exile them to create our own monstrosity.</p>
<p>I always like it when we can actually "create" our creatures because it lets our imaginations run wild. That said, this only applies to Slimer himself this time.</p>
<h2>A Ghastly Banquet</h2>
<p>There's a myriad of creatures we can use with Slimer and, for this section, we're covering cards we should exile for the +1/+1 counters.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lunar Hatchling"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shard of the Nightbringer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yargle and Multani|sld|872"></div></div>
<p>Firstly, the landcyclers, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lunar Hatchling" href="#" target="_blank">Lunar Hatchling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are great targets. We can discard them to get a land, and they can be exiled later on for Slimer.</p>
<p>Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lumbering Megasloth" href="#" target="_blank">Lumbering Megasloth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> yields a hefty eight counters to be working with. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shard of the Nightbringer" href="#" target="_blank">Shard of the Nightbringer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Woodfall Primus" href="#" target="_blank">Woodfall Primus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are heavy on colored mana, but not stats. On the other hand, we can reanimate the latter to blow up a troublesome permanent.</p>
<p>But what if we wanted to go bigger? In addition to what I said above, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hierophant Bio-Titan" href="#" target="_blank">Hierophant Bio-Titan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> boasts big numbers, but is also a good choice with those keywords. Further, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Death&#039;s Shadow|sch|40" href="#" target="_blank">Death&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a classic choice that's bigger than the Bio-Titan itself.</p>
<p>That said, the biggest of these is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yargle and Multani|sld|872" href="#" target="_blank">Yargle and Multani</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It's a vanilla creature with a whopping 18 power. On the right creature, you can instantly eliminate someone with commander damage (or infect, if you're a monster. A bit more on that later).</p>
<p>Another good choice is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Diamond Weapon" href="#" target="_blank">Diamond Weapon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It's cheaper with a well-stocked graveyard, is immune to combat damage, and hits like a truck. Too bad it doesn't have trample.</p>
<p>Push comes to shove, some of the above mentioned options make for some good reanimation targets, which is something I'll get to momentarily. While some of these cards make good choices for Slimer to copy, there's always even better choices.</p>
<h2>Quality Food</h2>
<p>This next section covers the creatures that are worth copying with Slimer.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Warring Triad"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tifa Lockhart"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shard of the Void Dragon"></div></div>
<p>Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Warring Triad" href="#" target="_blank">The Warring Triad</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> becomes a brutal beater under Slimer, especially when paired with a creature with colossal stats. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hexmark Destroyer" href="#" target="_blank">Hexmark Destroyer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes it so that Slimer becomes very difficult to block unless our opponents have a lot of tokens.</p>
<p>Secondly, the infamous <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jumbo Cactuar" href="#" target="_blank">Jumbo Cactuar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (which I'm going to center an article on some day) makes for a tempting choice. Just be advised that we have to give it trample or some other evasion.</p>
<p>On the other hand, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shard of the Void Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Shard of the Void Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> destroys a permanent on attack with the slight chance of it getting bigger. Moreover, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Polyraptor|sld|1391" href="#" target="_blank">Polyraptor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes multiple copies of itself when it takes damage, making combat hard for our opponents. Just note that it doesn't become a copy of Slimer, nor does it inherit the +1/+1 counters.</p>
<p>Finally, having Slimer become a copy of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tifa Lockhart" href="#" target="_blank">Tifa Lockhart</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is especially deadly. Slimer gains trample and the ability to double his power for the turn. These, on top of the counters he'll get, make him lethal very quickly.</p>
<p>Another option is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vashta Nerada" href="#" target="_blank">Vashta Nerada</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, ensuring that it'd be a huge, indestructible threat. It also has shadow, which renders it unblockable to make it even more terrifying. We can't block with Slimer if we do, but it's not like we were going to block with him anyway.</p>
<h2>Recycling Waste</h2>
<p>This list has a Reanimator slant to it as well to take advantage of all the creatures we'll hit. That said, this wouldn't be our first rodeo with Reanimator builds, so we have some repeat but good options here.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reanimate|fic|282"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beacon of Unrest|40k|194"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ardyn, the Usurper"></div></div>
<p>We have the ever-classic <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reanimate" href="#" target="_blank">Reanimate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which will bring back a big creature for a price. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beacon of Unrest" href="#" target="_blank">Beacon of Unrest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> reanimates from any graveyard, but is more expensive to cast. In addition, it shuffles itself back in upon resolution, so it'll not always be available to cast.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dread Return" href="#" target="_blank">Dread Return</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, with the right board state, can be cast for its flashback cost. While he's not on the list, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ardyn, the Usurper" href="#" target="_blank">Ardyn, the Usurper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> slowly builds us an army of copied creatures while being graveyard hate.</p>
<p>In addition, we have ways to fill everyone's graveyard to make it all happen.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Water Crystal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rejoin the Fight"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Power Fist"></div></div>
<p>For one, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Windfall|sld|1775" href="#" target="_blank">Windfall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is good to cast if our hand count is low, or we have creatures to discard. Both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Extract from Darkness|ltc|266" href="#" target="_blank">Extract from Darkness</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Incarnation Technique|sld|1776" href="#" target="_blank">Incarnation Technique</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> both mill and reanimate, giving us the best of both worlds. In addition, the newly minted <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rejoin the Fight" href="#" target="_blank">Rejoin the Fight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does this, too, but we get back multiple creatures.</p>
<p>From <em>Final Fantasy</em>, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Water Crystal" href="#" target="_blank">The Water Crystal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which doesn't do much for us with reducing mana costs, but adding four cards to each instance of mill is huge. Its activated ability is also perfect if we have extra mana laying around.</p>
<p>Then there's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emet-Selch, Unsundered" href="#" target="_blank">Emet-Selch, Unsundered</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who is very easy to transform, and lets us cast anything from our graveyard.</p>
<p>On the other hand, we have ways to further bolster Slimer. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Power Fist" href="#" target="_blank">Power Fist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives trample, and can potentially double his power. In a similar vein, the Finality half of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Find // Finality|pip|216" href="#" target="_blank">Find // Finality</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives a small buff, then potentially wipes the board of everything else.</p>
<p>Also, any creature with the monstrosity ability will further buff Slimer for a cost.</p>
<h2>Exotic Foods</h2>
<p>If you've kept up with my articles at this point, you know we're no strangers to covering Reanimator strategies in this series. I first covered it with the <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/celes-rune-knight-commander-deck-tech" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Celes deck tech a while back</a>, even. However, this is Slimer we're working with, and we're losing two colors in exchange for the others. With that, we get new options.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lord of Extinction"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Mindskinner"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cruel Somnophage"></div></div>
<p>Firstly, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lord of Extinction" href="#" target="_blank">Lord of Extinction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The "Boom Tube," as we elderly folk call it, is only as big as everyone's graveyards combined. This, in turn, will make Slimer colossal, a word that doesn't do it justice in this case. Pair it with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord" href="#" target="_blank">Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for a way to win.</p>
<p>Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Consuming Aberration" href="#" target="_blank">Consuming Aberration</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is slightly smaller, but can also mill our opponents when we cast a spell. There's also the Lhurgoyfs (like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mortivore" href="#" target="_blank">Mortivore</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), which don't get quite as big, but are options anyway.</p>
<p>Other options include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Titanoth Rex" href="#" target="_blank">Titanoth Rex</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> which is a colossal beast that can cycle itself. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cruel Somnophage" href="#" target="_blank">Cruel Somnophage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is essentially Mortivore, but can be cast for its adventure cost to mill someone.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghalta, Primal Hunger" href="#" target="_blank">Ghalta, Primal Hunger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Mindskinner" href="#" target="_blank">The Mindskinner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> boast huge buffs and, in the case of the latter, can be an outright win condition. Make Slimer a copy of it with Lord of Extinction for the counters, and watch our opponents collectively groan.</p>
<p>Also, for you naughty, naughty gremlins out there, infect creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blighted Agent" href="#" target="_blank">Blighted Agent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plague Stinger" href="#" target="_blank">Plague Stinger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> ensure that Slimer kills in one hit, provided he's unblockable. The Agent provides this already, but there's other ways to do so.</p>
<h2>Slimer, Voracious Apparition/The Mimeoplasm Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-You Ooze, You Looze" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 The Mimeoplasm
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Alpha Deathclaw
*1 Balamb T-Rexaur
*1 Birds of Paradise
*1 Emet-Selch, Unsundered // Hades, Sorcerer of Eld
*1 Hexmark Destroyer
*1 Hierophant Bio-Titan
*1 Lumbering Megasloth
*1 Lunar Hatchling
*1 Polyraptor
*1 Sepulchral Primordial
*1 Shard of the Nightbringer
*1 Shard of the Void Dragon
*1 The Warring Triad
*1 Tifa Lockhart
*1 Troll of Khazad-dûm
*1 Wayward Swordtooth
*1 Woodfall Primus
*1 Yargle and Multani
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Aetherize
*1 Assassin&#039;s Trophy
*1 Beast Within
*1 Brainstorm
*1 Consider
*1 Contaminated Drink
*1 Deadly Rollick
*1 Dismember
*1 Entish Restoration
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Krosan Grip
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Power Fist
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Talisman of Curiosity
*1 Talisman of Dominance
*1 Talisman of Resilience
*1 The Water Crystal
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Beacon of Unrest
*1 Buried Alive
*1 Careful Study
*1 Cultivate
*1 Deep Analysis
*1 Dread Return
*1 Extract from Darkness
*1 Farseek
*1 Feed the Swarm
*1 Find // Finality
*1 Harmonize
*1 Incarnation Technique
*1 Living Death
*1 Lórien Revealed
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Reanimate
*1 Rejoin the Fight
*1 Rise of the Dark Realms
*1 Toxic Deluge
*1 Windfall
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Greater Good
*1 Guardian Project
*1 Out of the Tombs
*1 Pernicious Deed
*1 Search for Azcanta // Azcanta, the Sunken Ruin
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Bojuka Bog
*1 Choked Estuary
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Dreamroot Cascade
*1 Drowned Catacomb
*1 Exotic Orchard
*6 Forest
*1 Hinterland Harbor
*6 Island
*1 Opulent Palace
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Shipwreck Marsh
*6 Swamp
*1 Temple of Malady
*1 Temple of Mystery
*1 Thriving Grove
*1 Thriving Isle
*1 Thriving Moor
*1 Vineglimmer Snarl
*1 Woodland Cemetery
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Onto the Next Meal</h2>
<p>Going through <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Mimeoplasm" href="#" target="_blank">The Mimeoplasm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> again, after all these years, was interesting. Some of the old guard stayed, while others were cut. Perhaps because they didn't pass the test of time. Going <em>Universes Beyond</em> only does stifle us a bit, but we remain undeterred. This case had a stronger reanimator sub-theme, yet the 'Plasm still remained as good as ever.</p>
<p>Join me next time as I either revert back to <em>Final Fantasy</em>, or ride along with a recent ruling that was announced.</p>


Slimer, Voracious Apparition Commander Deck Tech

Beyond the Multiverse - Galadriel, Light of Valinor Deck Tech

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jenova, Ancient Calamity" href="#" target="_blank">Jenova, Ancient Calamity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.mtgpics.com/illus?art=1759" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ignatius Budi</a></em></p>
<p>Welcome back to <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>! This week, I'm doing something a bit different from the routine. It won't be the last time, because I do intend to branch out into different ideas, so you can expect that in the near future. However, for today's article, we're going into something called Box-mander.</p>
<p>What is it, exactly? It's sort of like the name implies: You take a <em>Magic</em> booster box, and build a deck from its contents, and the regular Commander rules apply. According to <a href="https://articles.starcitygames.com/magic-the-gathering/premium/an-introduction-to-commander-booster-box-league/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this article</a> by the late Sheldon Menery (May he <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rest in Peace" href="#" target="_blank">Rest in Peace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), it was an idea created by Brian-David Marshall. Will the deck be good enough for your average pod? Absolutely not, but it's something to try with other players doing the same thing.</p>
<p>That said, I do want to note <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/edge-of-eternities-two-new-commander-formats-announced" target="_blank" rel="noopener">about this format becoming official</a>. I was unaware of this, and the unboxing happened before <em>Wizards of the Coast</em> announced it. I'll be playing by the old rules, but if you want me to do an article like this again, I'll play (mostly; color identity stays) by the new rules.</p>
<p>For this article, rather than focus on card choices, I'll take you through my journey and see how the final list was produced.</p>
<p>So, who did I end up choosing?</p>
<h2>Aliens</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jenova, Ancient Calamity|fin|346"></div></div>
<p>I will note that I didn't do a lore write up for Cloud and Sephiroth back in <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/beyond-the-multiverse-cloud-and-sephiroth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">their article</a> because they're very iconic to the IP, and everyone knows of their feud. Almost legendary, if you will. Jenova, though, was in the same game. She (it?) was a threat from 2,000 years before the events of <em>Final Fantasy VII</em>, and was stopped. That is, until Shinra unearthed and used her properties for experiments.</p>
<p>Said experiments would go on to affect the lives of multiple characters, including Cloud and Sephiroth. She's also a boss you fight multiple times throughout the game.</p>
<p>Jenova's card wants you to grow her stats, but not necessarily to attack. Instead, she wants you to play other creatures and buff them instead. This feeds into her second ability, potentially drawing you piles of cards at a time.</p>
<p>Now, Golgari (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-g" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>)is a rare color combination for me to build, and I have no idea why. In fact, my journey began with another color pair.</p>
<h2>In the Beginning</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Y&#039;shtola Rhul|fin|577"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hope Estheim"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lightning, Army of One"></div></div>
<p>Before I begin, I mentioned in the previous article that I had three boxes. Jenova's was the only one I was able to record because, when I opened the other two, I was coming off the heels of almost evacuating from a fire. I forgot about the box-mander business in the chaos, and in an aftermath where I was mentally taxed. However, I still had plenty to work with.</p>
<p>My path begins in the second pack, where I pulled a foil <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Y&#039;shtola Rhul|fin|577" href="#" target="_blank">Y&#039;shtola Rhul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. From that point, I was looking into blue as one of my colors. Later, I pulled a number of options, including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emet-Selch, Unsundered" href="#" target="_blank">Emet-Selch, Unsundered</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Omega, Heartless Evolution" href="#" target="_blank">Omega, Heartless Evolution</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. That said, the former didn't work with Y'shtola, but Omega would've been outright oppressive, and not much fun. Even going the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hope Estheim" href="#" target="_blank">Hope Estheim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> route would've put me on the naughty list.</p>
<p>Consequently, along the way, I pulled <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning, Army of One" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning, Army of One</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, along with a number of cards centered on Equipment. Having <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms" href="#" target="_blank">Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Danitha Capashen, Paragon|fca|22" href="#" target="_blank">Danitha Capashen, Paragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, among others was too good to pass up. This, in turn, had me set the Y'shtola idea aside.</p>
<h2>Lost in the Woods</h2>
<p>By the time I got to the end of the box, I was content with going the Lightning route. I dug in, and began assembling the deck. However, I ran into a big problem: I didn't pull enough unique Equipment to make the deck work.</p>
<p>For additional context, Boros's draft archetype was Equipment, and Lightning needed the Equipment to get the most out of her (and keep her around on the field). With my initial plan thwarted, I kept going through what I pulled.</p>
<p>I acquired most of the commons, and some of the uncommons, but outside of what I mentioned, nothing really grabbed my attention.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Wandering Minstrel"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gladiolus Amicitia"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gladiolus Amicitia" href="#" target="_blank">Gladiolus Amicitia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was there, together with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tifa Lockhart" href="#" target="_blank">Tifa Lockhart</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but the push wasn't there. All 10 of the Town duals, plus <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Balamb Garden, SeeD Academy" href="#" target="_blank">Balamb Garden, SeeD Academy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Wandering Minstrel" href="#" target="_blank">The Wandering Minstrel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> were present along with the other Town-related stuff, but someone else was writing him, and I didn't want to step on their toes.</p>
<p>On the other hand, five-color decks are too easy here; I needed a challenge.</p>
<p>Further, I was caught in a bind, and I wasn't sure what to pick. I eventually reached out to get some extra pairs of eyes to get me out of my rut. Jenova was the first option that was mentioned (I ended up pulling the regular and the showcase versions. I went with the latter eventually). Seeing no other recourse, I attempted to build Jenova, and the resulting deck list is below.</p>
<h2>The Final List for Jenova, Ancient Calamity</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-JENOVA (Box-mander)" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Jenova, Ancient Calamity
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Bard&#039;s Bow
*1 Black Mage&#039;s Rod
*1 Blitzball
*1 Chocobo Racetrack
*1 Dark Knight&#039;s Greatsword
*1 Lion Heart
*1 Lunatic Pandora
*1 Monk&#039;s Fist
*1 Phantom Train
*1 Ring of the Lucii
*1 Smuggler&#039;s Copter
*1 Strixhaven Stadium
*1 The Earth Crystal
*1 World Map
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Chocobo Kick
*1 Clash of the Eikons
*1 Commune with Beavers
*1 Cornered by Black Mages
*1 Esper Origins // Summon: Esper Maduin
*1 Evil Reawakened
*1 Gysahl Greens
*1 Resentful Revelation
*1 Rydia&#039;s Return
[/Sorceries]
[Creatures]
*1 Ahriman
*1 Al Bhed Salvagers
*1 Ardyn, the Usurper
*1 Balamb T-Rexaur
*1 Cactuar
*1 Cloud of Darkness
*1 Coliseum Behemoth
*1 Demon Wall
*1 Exdeath, Void Warlock // Neo Exdeath, Dimension&#039;s End
*1 Fang, Fearless l&#039;Cie
*1 Gaius van Baelsar
*1 Goobbue Gardener
*1 Gran Pulse Ochu
*1 Hecteyes
*1 Jecht, Reluctant Guardian // Braska&#039;s Final Aeon
*1 Magic Pot
*1 Malboro
*1 Namazu Trader
*1 Shambling Cie&#039;th
*1 Shinra Reinforcements
*1 Summon: Anima
*1 Summon: Fat Chocobo
*1 Summon: Fenrir
*1 Tifa Lockhart
*1 Tonberry
*1 Town Greeter
*1 Undercity Dire Rat
*1 Vanille, Cheerful l&#039;Cie
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Airship Crash
*1 Blitzball Shot
*1 Deadly Dispute
*1 Fight On!
*1 Galuf&#039;s Final Act
*1 Overkill
*1 Prishe&#039;s Wanderings
*1 Sephiroth&#039;s Intervention
*1 Tifa&#039;s Limit Break
*1 Vayne&#039;s Treachery
*1 Vincent&#039;s Limit Break
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*1 Adventurer&#039;s Inn
*1 Capital City
*1 Crossroads Village
*1 Eden, Seat of the Sanctum
*15 Forest
*1 Gohn, Town of Ruin
*1 Midgar, City of Mako // Reactor Raid
*15 Swamp
*1 The Gold Saucer
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Analyzing the List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Earth Crystal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tifa Lockhart"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ardyn, the Usurper"></div></div>
<p>Note that I'm not using the exact versions I pulled from the packs, but these were all from the box. The exceptions are the basics, which you can just use what you have, really.</p>
<p>Firstly, we need ways to buff Jenova. The greater her power, the more +1/+1 counters she distributes. We begin with the <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/ranking-the-job-select-equipment-cards-from-final-fantasy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">job select cards</a> (a few from this list are <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bard&#039;s Bow" href="#" target="_blank">Bard&#039;s Bow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Monk&#039;s Fist" href="#" target="_blank">Monk&#039;s Fist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Black Mage&#039;s Rod" href="#" target="_blank">Black Mage&#039;s Rod</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), which all come in with a Hero token.</p>
<p>That said, we need to move them onto Jenova to provide the Heroes with an even bigger boost. On the other hand, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rydia&#039;s Return" href="#" target="_blank">Rydia&#039;s Return</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides a way to cross the finish line while making Jenova bigger.</p>
<p>Crucially, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Earth Crystal" href="#" target="_blank">The Earth Crystal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is perhaps the best here: It'll double the counters that Jenova dishes out, and you can activate the ability to give essentially 2 counters to Jenova, and two to another creature. The cost reduction is just icing on the cake.</p>
<p>Secondly, we'll need some good targets for those counters. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tifa Lockhart" href="#" target="_blank">Tifa Lockhart</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can get dangerous very quickly if timed right. Meanwhile, the creatures you exile from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ardyn, the Usurper" href="#" target="_blank">Ardyn, the Usurper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> become tokens you could put counters on. You can layer the triggers so Ardyn resolves first, then proceed to put Jenova's counters on that Demon you just created.</p>
<p>Another good target is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demon Wall" href="#" target="_blank">Demon Wall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which normally has defender as is. However, you put the counter(s) from Jenova onto the Wall, and it can suddenly attack without needing to pay for its activated ability.</p>
<h2>Where to Go From Here</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sphere Grid"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Watchful Radstag"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Branching Evolution"></div></div>
<p>Here, for the purposes of articles like this one, I'll cover cards from both <em>Universes Beyond</em>, and in-universe cards you could add.</p>
<p>Firstly, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sphere Grid" href="#" target="_blank">Sphere Grid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maester Seymour" href="#" target="_blank">Maester Seymour</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> distribute counters as well as having other benefits. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Evolution Witness" href="#" target="_blank">Evolution Witness</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kami of Whispered Hopes" href="#" target="_blank">Kami of Whispered Hopes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> both recur cards and gain mana, respectively. The latter also acts like a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hardened Scales" href="#" target="_blank">Hardened Scales</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect (another good card to add, by the way), which is a valuable effect. The more you can find, the better.</p>
<p>Secondly, thanks largely to the <em>Fallout</em> decks from last year, we have a plethora of new Mutant creatures that work with Jenova. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Watchful Radstag" href="#" target="_blank">Watchful Radstag</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a good one, copying itself whenever a counter gets put on it. This'll mean lots of cards in the long run. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloatfly Swarm" href="#" target="_blank">Bloatfly Swarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will accrue counters, then gives everyone rad counters if it should take damage.</p>
<p>Playing further into the rad counters sub-theme, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Feral Ghoul" href="#" target="_blank">Feral Ghoul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gets bigger each time a creature dies, then does a similar thing to Bloatfly swarm if the Ghoul dies.</p>
<p>Finally, there's a few other cards I wish to mention. Counter doublers like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Branching Evolution" href="#" target="_blank">Branching Evolution</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Corpsejack Menace" href="#" target="_blank">Corpsejack Menace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both very good here. If doubling alongside a Hardened Scales effect, you can choose the order in which the effects apply. You'd resolve the Scales effect first, then the doubler, so the latter takes the Scales effect into account.</p>
<p>Feel free to let me know in the comments if I got this wrong.</p>
<h2>Final Mutation</h2>
<p>Doing a Box-mander deck is a fun way to explore a set, and everything it has to offer. Perhaps you'll find some new synergies while you do so. Opening packs -though I do advocate for buying singles - is also some good ASMR if you need it.</p>
<p>I'd would like to hear from you whether a Box-mander deck is something I should do again. I'm open to feedback, and I'm currently looking for ways to branch out into some new content. On that note, I'll be away for a couple of weeks, but I do have content to cover for both (I've already written them, as of writing this article).</p>
<p>With that said, tune in next time as we retread old ground, and give <em>Final Fantasy</em> a small break.</p>


Building a Box-mander Deck With Jenova, Ancient Calamity

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="G&#039;raha Tia, Scion Reborn" href="#" target="_blank">G&#039;raha Tia, Scion Reborn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Art by <a href="https://www.mtgpics.com/illus?art=2208" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yasunari Hirasaka</a></em></p>
<p>Hello, and welcome back! In this week's <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>, I'm killing two birds with one stone. Firstly, I'm tackling a deck centered on a mechanic that I'm currently enamored with. Secondly, every card in today's deck will be from the <em>Final Fantasy</em> release, highlighting my personal ambitions for the set. And I'm doing it with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="G&#039;raha Tia, Scion Reborn" href="#" target="_blank">G&#039;raha Tia, Scion Reborn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="G&#039;raha Tia, Scion Reborn"></div></div>
<p>Between the precons, the notoriously anxiety-inducing <em>Secret Lair Drops</em>, the bonus sheet, and the main set itself (Starter Kit included), building a Bracket 2 deck was easy. However, there's no small number of <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changers</a>, making Bracket 3 decks very possible. Those, and even mono-color decks are very possible here.</p>
<p>A set as large as this one is something I've been waiting for a long time, and the stars aligned!</p>
<p>But you didn't click the link to hear me gush about the set. You're here because of the deck list, so let's not waste anymore time (or words for that matter).</p>
<h2>Entering the Crystal Tower</h2>
<p>G'raha Tia was a major character in the critically acclaimed <em>Final Fantasy XIV</em>, guiding the hero character in various main quests. Specifically, he's a descendant of an ancient race, and the newest member of the Scions.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="G&#039;raha Tia, Scion Reborn" href="#" target="_blank">G&#039;raha Tia, Scion Reborn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> wants two things: noncreature spells and Hero tokens. There's going to be quite a few subthemes with G'raha, since we also need some lifegain to buoy our life total to take advantage of his ability.</p>
<p>There's two ways to approach our commander. The first puts much greater emphasis on his ability, filling the deck with noncreature spells, and the Hero tokens will come out stronger.</p>
<p>The other takes the focus off G'raha and utilizes <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/ranking-the-job-select-equipment-cards-from-final-fantasy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the various job select cards</a> from throughout the <em>Final Fantasy</em> release. The former paints a bigger target on our commander, as we'll be more dependent on him to stick around.</p>
<p>However, if you picked up the hint from the introduction, we're going the latter route, putting the job select cards to perfect use.</p>
<h2>Choose Your Character</h2>
<p>Before I begin, I want to say that I originally wanted to make this five color to add the red and green job select cards. That said, their numbers were few, and there's no five-color commander that fits the bill perfectly. Hopefully, we'll get one some day, but I digress.</p>
<p>Looking at the card pool for job select, there's only so many. Not only does cutting two of the colors sting a bit, but we only have one release to go on. So, we're running as many as we can here.</p>
<p>Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dancer&#039;s Chakrams" href="#" target="_blank">Dancer&#039;s Chakrams</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> allows our Hero to put up a performance, getting +2/+2 and lifelink, but also giving our commander the same deal. With all of the artifacts we'll be having in the deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Machinist&#039;s Arsenal" href="#" target="_blank">Machinist&#039;s Arsenal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes our Hero token into a sizeable threat.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dancer&#039;s Chakrams"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Machinist&#039;s Arsenal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reaper&#039;s Scythe"></div></div>
<p>Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Paladin&#039;s Arms" href="#" target="_blank">Paladin&#039;s Arms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> may be costly to equip, but it also provides some protection with ward <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-1" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thief&#039;s Knife" href="#" target="_blank">Thief&#039;s Knife</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> nets us a card each time the equipped Hero connects.</p>
<p>Speaking of connecting, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ninja&#039;s Blades" href="#" target="_blank">Ninja&#039;s Blades</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> doesn't just net us a card, but also makes us discard and make our opponent lose life equal to the mana value.</p>
<p>Thirdly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reaper&#039;s Scythe" href="#" target="_blank">Reaper&#039;s Scythe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can make our equipped Hero token grow quickly, especially if multiple players lost life during our turn.</p>
<p>Finally, even the commons have some uses. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Black Mage&#039;s Rod" href="#" target="_blank">Black Mage&#039;s Rod</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pings opponents when we cast a noncreature spell - useful if Reaper's Scythe is out as well. On the other hand, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Knight&#039;s Greatsword" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Knight&#039;s Greatsword</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> turns our equipped Hero into a sizeable but fragile threat.</p>
<p>Lastly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sage&#039;s Nouliths" href="#" target="_blank">Sage&#039;s Nouliths</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has us untap a creature when the equipped Hero attacks, giving us a potential blocker later.</p>
<p>That said, we need to buff those Heroes further. I wonder how we can do that. But, of course! The Cids!</p>
<h2>Are You Cid-ding Me?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cid, Timeless Artificer"></div></div>
<p>I'm not sorry for pulling that pun, by the way. No regrets, because I'm evil.</p>
<p>We're running a total of 15 <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cid, Timeless Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Cid, Timeless Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s here. We don't need too many of those, as they'll only end up clogging our hand. Crucially, the idea is to keep a few back, and cycle the rest. The reason is that the Cids will have targets painted on their backs the second they drop. Removal spells will be flung, boards will be wiped, and your graveyard can get exiled, setting back your hard work.</p>
<p>If you have access to instant-speed recursion or cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clever Concealment|fic|236" href="#" target="_blank">Clever Concealment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, use those to protect both G'raha and what Cids are in play. They only draw one card, but they can cycle through your deck.</p>
<p>However, for reasons I stated above, it's best to not cycle or play every Cid you see. Those Hero tokens will be weak on their own, and will need some help to become threats.</p>
<h2>G'raha Tia, Scion Reborn Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Beyond the Multiverse-G&#039;raha Tia" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 G&#039;raha Tia, Scion Reborn
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Astrologian&#039;s Planisphere
*1 Black Mage&#039;s Rod
*1 Dancer&#039;s Chakrams
*1 Dark Knight&#039;s Greatsword
*1 Dragoon&#039;s Lance
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Machinist&#039;s Arsenal
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Monk&#039;s Fist
*1 Ninja&#039;s Blades
*1 Paladin&#039;s Arms
*1 Reaper&#039;s Scythe
*1 Sage&#039;s Nouliths
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Talisman of Dominance
*1 Talisman of Hierarchy
*1 Talisman of Progress
*1 Thief&#039;s Knife
*1 Tome of Legends
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
*1 White Mage&#039;s Staff
*1 World Map
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Ashe, Princess of Dalmasca
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Cid, Timeless Artificer
*1 Puresteel Paladin
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Weapons Vendor
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Combat Tutorial
*1 Damn
*1 Feed the Swarm
*1 Night&#039;s Whisper
*1 The Crystal&#039;s Chosen
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Battle Menu
*1 Clever Concealment
*1 Into the Story
*1 Overkill
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Restoration Magic
*1 Stroke of Midnight
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Void Rend
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Champions from Beyond
*1 Forge Anew
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Adventurer&#039;s Inn
*1 Arcane Sanctum
*1 Capital City
*1 Choked Estuary
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Contaminated Aquifer
*1 Darkwater Catacombs
*1 Desolate Mire
*1 Drowned Catacomb
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Idyllic Beachfront
*1 Insomnia, Crown City
*1 Ishgard, the Holy See // Faith &amp; Grief
*4 Island
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Jidoor, Aristocratic Capital // Overture
*1 Midgar, City of Mako // Reactor Raid
*4 Plains
*1 Port Town
*1 Sharlayan, Nation of Scholars
*1 Shineshadow Snarl
*1 Skycloud Expanse
*1 Starting Town
*1 Sunlit Marsh
*4 Swamp
*1 The Gold Saucer
*1 Treno, Dark City
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Saving the World</h2>
<p>Taking the Cids out of the equation, our decklist today is very low to the ground in its mana curve. Even so, we can only trigger our commander once each turn, so be sure to cast some instant-speed stuff on our opponents' turns as well.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Combat Tutorial"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Champions from Beyond"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Forge Anew|sld|7002"></div></div>
<p>That said, some hawk-eyed readers will notice some odd card choices in this list. I also went a more flavorful route, and added the "game" cards (like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Combat Tutorial" href="#" target="_blank">Combat Tutorial</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) in there. I thought it'd be a fun take on a deck. They, too, have their uses.</p>
<p>While Combat Tutorial draws us cards, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Battle Menu" href="#" target="_blank">Battle Menu</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is very flexible, but you're mostly using the options to destroy a creature or, when needed, the lifegain option. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="World Map" href="#" target="_blank">World Map</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> doesn't ramp us, but it does search for any land if we pay more into it.</p>
<p>Another notable card in the list is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Champions from Beyond" href="#" target="_blank">Champions from Beyond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which gives us an army of Hero tokens on top of the benefits the card provides. Just be sure to protect that board, because even getting back up to four might take some turns.</p>
<p>On the other hand, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Forge Anew|sld|7002" href="#" target="_blank">Forge Anew</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can bypass the first equip cost each turn, and can return an Equipment card from the graveyard onto the battlefield. Speaking of bypassing equip costs, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Weapons Vendor" href="#" target="_blank">Weapons Vendor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Puresteel Paladin|fic|250" href="#" target="_blank">Puresteel Paladin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> help reattach Equipment that have been fallen off because the equipped Heroes have been removed.</p>
<h2>The Search for More Heroes</h2>
<p>Going beyond <em>Universes Beyond</em> (and <em>Final Fantasy</em> in this case), we can be sure to find more artifact and/or Equipment support for the deck. We even gain a color in red if we take the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Silas Renn, Seeker Adept" href="#" target="_blank">Silas Renn, Seeker Adept</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> &amp; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder" href="#" target="_blank">Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pairing. That said, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akiri, Line-Slinger" href="#" target="_blank">Akiri, Line-Slinger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> also works instead of Bruse.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Steelshaper&#039;s Gift"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mondrak, Glory Dominus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Silas Renn, Seeker Adept"></div></div>
<p>Outside of that, a lot of the key Equipment cards are reprinted in <em>Universes Beyond</em>, so what I'll do for this section is to cover cards outside of <em>Final Fantasy</em>, both in-universe and beyond it.</p>
<p>Firstly, tutor cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Steelshaper&#039;s Gift" href="#" target="_blank">Steelshaper&#039;s Gift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can find our job select cards that much faster. Meanwhile, token doublers like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mondrak, Glory Dominus" href="#" target="_blank">Mondrak, Glory Dominus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> multiplies the number of Hero tokens that arrive.</p>
<p>If you want to expand your Equipment options beyond the job select cards, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of the Animist" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of the Animist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hammer of Nazahn" href="#" target="_blank">Hammer of Nazahn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> allow for more Equipment options because, flavorfully, heroes tend to find Equipment. This can be a legendary blade, or something outright superior to what they're already wielding.</p>
<p>In addendum, anthem effects that bolster the Hero tokens are another way to go, making them stronger without having to rely so heavily on Equipment, and being slowed down by the equip costs.</p>
<h2>Saving the Day</h2>
<p>To wrap things up, the job select mechanic is something I adored when it was revealed. Even better, though, is improving on the whole process of creating your Hero. Who said the names have to be "Hero"? Name your Hero tokens!</p>
<p>Maybe you want to take the immersive (some would call vain) route and put yourself on the battlefield. Maybe it's your friends, or characters that you wrote for a novel. Feel that personal attachment, and it's almost as though you're literally playing a <em>Final Fantasy</em> game for real. That's part of the fun for me with this deck. Do you name your Hero tokens?</p>
<p>Before checking out for the week, I do intend on covering box-mander (Commander decks from a booster box, in a nutshell) next week, and I have no less than two lists for you in store. However, whether I cover one or all in detail is something I haven't decided yet. Tune in next week to see what I've assembled from said boxes.</p>


Beyond the Multiverse-G'raha Tia

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unfinished Business" href="#" target="_blank">Unfinished Business</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/search?artistName=eq~Ramza_Psyru" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ramza Psyru</a></em></p>
<h2>Recruitment Process</h2>
<p>Hello, and welcome to a special edition of <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>. This week we're tackling something rather odd. It's a deck that's got a short story to it that was basically my brain being obsessed over it. Basically, we're taking on a Commander deck for the Pride Event this month. To sum it up, it's essentially any two legendary creatures can be your commander(s) as though they had the Partner mechanic. I thought I'd take this opportunity to tackle a deck for the event in case it's something you want to do.</p>
<p>That said, let's get into it.</p>
<h2>Assemble the Turks!</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reno and Rude"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elena, Turk Recruit"></div></div>
<p>We're talking about the Turks, which is an informal name for the Investigation Sector of the General Affairs Department, a branch of the Shinra Company from <em>Final Fantasy VII.</em> To put it in basics, they're spies and assassins who also look out for potential new recruits into the SOLDIER program. They're very much akin to an intelligence agency. Reno, Rude, and Elena are three of the members.</p>
<p>With Reno/Rude (and will henceforth be known as such for simplicity), they do their best iteration of the notorious <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer" href="#" target="_blank">Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Unfortunately, you have to sacrifice a creature or an artifact, and there's no dash mechanic to "protect" them. Elena, on the other hand, recurs historic permanents and gets bigger for each one cast.</p>
<p>If you're not doing the Pride Event (perhaps you're playing this deck later this year, for example), there's a number of Orzhov options you can use. Perhaps <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tymna the Weaver|fca|18" href="#" target="_blank">Tymna the Weaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on her own.</p>
<p>However, we're going to try and use Reno/Rude to the best of our ability while Elena sits back, act as both utility and part-time win-con.</p>
<h2>An Orientation, If You Will</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hildibrand Manderville"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sarah Jane Smith"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodforged Battle-Axe|pip|226"></div></div>
<p>Crucially, we need to have stuff to sacrifice to Reno/Rude's ability. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sarah Jane Smith" href="#" target="_blank">Sarah Jane Smith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> drops Clue tokens when we cast historic spells. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hildibrand Manderville" href="#" target="_blank">Hildibrand Manderville</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and the token he makes, are great sacrifice fodder. Moreover, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="General&#039;s Enforcer|pip|217" href="#" target="_blank">General&#039;s Enforcer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> protects the Turks, makes a token, and hits graveyards. Secondly, if we can connect with it enough times, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodforged Battle-Axe|pip|226" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodforged Battle-Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will make a lot of copies of itself. Thirdly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astrid Peth" href="#" target="_blank">Astrid Peth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes tokens when she enters or attacks. However, she is frail, so take care where she attacks.</p>
<p>Further, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff" href="#" target="_blank">Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> nets us Treasure tokens when someone casts multiple spells a turn. Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pitiless Plunderer|fic|281" href="#" target="_blank">Pitiless Plunderer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes two when we lose a creature we control. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Black Market Connections" href="#" target="_blank">Black Market Connections</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does everything: if you pay six life, you get a Treasure, draw a card, and make a creature token to sacrifice. That said, that life loss is brutal long-term, so you're probably better off removing the Treasure. Looking at the cards I mentioned so far, I can notice a subtle pattern.</p>
<h2>Shinra Armory</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Biotransference"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sword of Truth and Justice|sld|1867"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pip-Boy 3000"></div></div>
<p>Going an artifact sub-theme will ensure that the Turks will gain maximum benefit. Artifacts are historic, so Elena will recur them and count for her trigger. They're also the best stuff to sacrifice to get Reno's/Rude's trigger, and the various Equipment will make our smaller creatures more menacing.</p>
<p>Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dalek Squadron" href="#" target="_blank">Dalek Squadron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes tokens that get sacrificed at end of combat. However, why not get rid of one of them to trigger Reno/Rude? Meanwhile, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Canoptek Scarab Swarm" href="#" target="_blank">Canoptek Scarab Swarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Death in Heaven" href="#" target="_blank">Death in Heaven</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are graveyard hate that make fodder for them. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Biotransference" href="#" target="_blank">Biotransference</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> nets us tokens and turns every creature we have into an artifact, meaning options to sacrifice.</p>
<p>However, we're working with a lot of creatures with tiny stats, so let's buff them. The Swords of X and Y cycle (of which half are in the <em>Universes Beyond</em> card pool) is a great start. Of note is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Truth and Justice||sld|1867" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Truth and Justice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which gives the equipped creature a permanent +2/+2. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pip-Boy 3000" href="#" target="_blank">Pip-Boy 3000</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides a lot of utility, including pumping the equipped creature. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Umezawa&#039;s Jitte|sld|1865" href="#" target="_blank">Umezawa&#039;s Jitte</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is very good, doing a lot of stuff just from doing any damage rather than just hitting out opponent.</p>
<p>It's worth noting that the best creature to equip these to is Reno/Rude, since they'll die to a breeze. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astrid Peth" href="#" target="_blank">Astrid Peth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another good target as well for the same reason. That said, the others aren't bad targets, either. The reason is because we want to get swinging, chipping away at our opponents while getting value from our stuff. That last sentence is a hint as to what the overall archetype of the deck will likely be. I might have even given it away when I mentioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tymna the Weaver|fca|18" href="#" target="_blank">Tymna the Weaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h2>Elena and Reno and Rude Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond - The Turks (Pride Event)" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Elena, Turk Recruit
*1 Reno and Rude
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Al Bhed Salvagers
*1 Astrid Peth
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Canoptek Scarab Swarm
*1 Canoptek Spyder
*1 Canoptek Wraith
*1 Company Commander
*1 Dalek Squadron
*1 Gaius van Baelsar
*1 General&#039;s Enforcer
*1 Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor
*1 Hildibrand Manderville // Gentleman&#039;s Rise
*1 Judge Magister Gabranth
*1 Loran of the Third Path
*1 Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff
*1 Mangara, the Diplomat
*1 Morbid Opportunist
*1 Pitiless Plunderer
*1 Sarah Jane Smith
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Sun Titan
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Biotransference
*1 Black Market Connections
*1 Death in Heaven
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Anguished Unmaking
*1 Clever Concealment
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Deadly Dispute
*1 Despark
*1 Dismember
*1 Flawless Maneuver
*1 Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal
*1 Lethal Scheme
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Stroke of Midnight
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Utter End
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Cut a Deal
*1 Damn
*1 Toxic Deluge
*1 Unfinished Business
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bloodforged Battle-Axe
*1 Brotherhood Regalia
*1 Genji Glove
*1 Hedron Archive
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Pip-Boy 3000
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Sword of Feast and Famine
*1 Sword of Hearth and Home
*1 Sword of Light and Shadow
*1 Sword of Truth and Justice
*1 Sword of War and Peace
*1 Sword of the Animist
*1 Tome of Legends
*1 Umezawa&#039;s Jitte
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Abstergo Entertainment
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Desolate Mire
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Fetid Heath
*1 Insomnia, Crown City
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Path of Ancestry
*9 Plains
*1 Scoured Barrens
*1 Shineshadow Snarl
*1 Silent Clearing
*1 Sunlit Marsh
*9 Swamp
*1 Tainted Field
*1 Temple of Silence
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>The Briefing</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor|fca|35"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tome of Legends|fic|369"></div></div>
<p>The name of the game with this list is to go on the aggressive while having enough fodder for Reno/Rude's trigger. In addition, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor|fca|35" href="#" target="_blank">Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helps with this. He'll provide card draw, and incentive for our opponents to go elsewhere. In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Canoptek Spyder" href="#" target="_blank">Canoptek Spyder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> draws us cards when an artifact enters our board. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brotherhood Regalia" href="#" target="_blank">Brotherhood Regalia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will ensure that Reno/Rude can slip through a horde of tokens and connect.</p>
<p>However, going on the aggressive makes us more vulnerable to board wipes. Fortunately, white gives us access to some counters to this. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal" href="#" target="_blank">Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> serves as one of the best for our purposes. On the other hand, it can also serve as a way to clear blockers for a massive attack. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clever Concealment|fic|236" href="#" target="_blank">Clever Concealment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> easily protects our stuff. Moreover, if we have enough creatures out, we can take advantage of the convoke cost. Speaking of free spells, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flawless Maneuver|sld|1728" href="#" target="_blank">Flawless Maneuver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be cast for free if either commander is out.</p>
<p>With the Turks being so cheap to cast, we can take advantage of a few cards to further our plan. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tome of Legends|fic|369" href="#" target="_blank">Tome of Legends</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will accrue counters quickly, which we can turn into a steady source of card draw. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bastion Protector|fic|233" href="#" target="_blank">Bastion Protector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will protect the Turks while they carry out their respective tasks. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Genji Glove" href="#" target="_blank">Genji Glove</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> not only allows for certain creatures to take advantage of the double strike (like Reno/Rude), but also gives us an extra combat step to reap more value.</p>
<h2>Missions Beyond This Universe</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Esper Sentinel"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Breena, the Demagogue"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cathars&#039; Crusade"></div></div>
<p>Our in-universe options mostly consist of staples we could run. If you're looking for an alternate commander to the Turks, look no further than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breena, the Demagogue" href="#" target="_blank">Breena, the Demagogue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The card can be confusing, so allow me to break it down for you. Say you attack while you have Breena out. Her trigger will go off, and it'll check life totals. If that player has more life than another opponent (not you), you get the trigger. Keep in mind that an opponent can also get Breena's trigger, so there's incentive not to attack you. Those counters will add up very fast, making you into a threat very quickly.</p>
<p>For this section, I'm going to assume that you're going to switch the Turks out for Breena (it'd be good to keep them in the 99 anyway). That said, other options include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Esper Sentinel" href="#" target="_blank">Esper Sentinel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dusk Legion Duelist" href="#" target="_blank">Dusk Legion Duelist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for more card draw. Meanwhile, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Necropolis Regent" href="#" target="_blank">Necropolis Regent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has a heavy black mana requirement, it'll also pump your board each time they connect.</p>
<p>With Breena now at the helm, we want to buff our little guys as much as we can. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Generous Pup" href="#" target="_blank">Generous Pup</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is not just an adorable pooch, but it can pump the whole team, possibly each turn. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Drana, Liberator of Malakir" href="#" target="_blank">Drana, Liberator of Malakir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can put counters on our board when she connects. It's worth noting that she has first strike, so you get said counters onto the other attacking creatures before they deal their damage. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Felidar Retreat" href="#" target="_blank">Felidar Retreat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will make our creatures bigger with each land we play.</p>
<p>I do want to take a moment to address <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cathars&#039; Crusade" href="#" target="_blank">Cathars&#039; Crusade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It's easily one of the best cards to add in-universe, but the amount of counters being added, especially when multiple come in at once (say, a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Martial Coup" href="#" target="_blank">Martial Coup</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) will make heads spin. I avoid it for this reason, but you're welcome to run the card if you can manage it.</p>
<h2>Mission Accomplished</h2>
<p>In conclusion, this an approach in Orzhov colors I can get behind. Like I said, I built this deck specifically for the Pride Event this month, but it won't take much to change the command zone. When you go to play in a pod of random people, be sure to utilize Rule 0 to see if they let you use the Turks as the commanders. If not, there's plenty to choose from. There's even one in the 99 of the decklist I posted. Tune in next week where I tackle what will be a small taste of my ambitions for the <em>Final Fantasy </em>set.</p>


The Turks of Final Fantasy - Pride Event Commander Deck

Brewing Terra, Magical Adept With Universes Beyond Cards

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloud, Planet&#039;s Champion" href="#" target="_blank">Cloud, Planet&#039;s Champion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sephiroth, Planet&#039;s Heir" href="#" target="_blank">Sephiroth, Planet&#039;s Heir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artofmtg.com/artist/magali-villeneuve/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Magali Villeneuve</a></em></p>
<p>Hello, and welcome back to <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>. I'm Owain, and I'm here with a long-awaited article (one of three, in fact), featuring two Commanders. First up is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cloud, Planet&#039;s Champion" href="#" target="_blank">Cloud, Planet&#039;s Champion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> who's all about Equipment. I've done Equipment decks before, but I'm going to make him slightly different from the others. More on that in a moment.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sephiroth, Planet&#039;s Heir"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cloud, Planet&#039;s Champion"></div></div>
<p>On the other side, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sephiroth, Planet&#039;s Heir" href="#" target="_blank">Sephiroth, Planet&#039;s Heir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who absolutely doesn't have obsessively romantic feelings for Cloud. Not at all. Nothing to see here. Anyway, with Sephi here, we're killing off creatures, with perhaps some minor graveyard shenanigans along the way.</p>
<p>However, there's just one small problem: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aerith Gainsborough" href="#" target="_blank">Aerith Gainsborough</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, our third wheel, is in the way. How do we <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eliminate the Competition" href="#" target="_blank">Eliminate the Competition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Harmonize|fic|308"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sephiroth&#039;s Intervention"></div></div>
<p>Ah, thank you, Sephiroth. With Aerith now excused to be on a forever date with Sephiroth's sword, we can be on our way. Are you ready to rumble?</p>
<h2>Cloud, Planet's Champion Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-Cloud" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Cloud, Planet&#039;s Champion
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bloodforged Battle-Axe
*1 Brotherhood Regalia
*1 Colossus Hammer
*1 Endless Atlas
*1 Excalibur, Sword of Eden
*1 Inspiring Statuary
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mask of Memory
*1 Mithril Coat
*1 Shadowspear
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Sword of Feast and Famine
*1 Sword of Hearth and Home
*1 Sword of Light and Shadow
*1 Sword of War and Peace
*1 Sword of the Animist
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 The Spear of Leonidas
*1 Ultima Weapon
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Armory Paladin
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Beatrix, Loyal General
*1 Bureau Headmaster
*1 Cid, Freeflier Pilot
*1 Codsworth, Handy Helper
*1 Freya Crescent
*1 Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms
*1 Gimli of the Glittering Caves
*1 Item Shopkeep
*1 Lightning, Security Sergeant
*1 Puresteel Paladin
*1 Raubahn, Bull of Ala Mhigo
*1 Rosa, Resolute White Mage
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Sram, Senior Edificer
*1 Weapons Vendor
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Battlefield Improvisation
*1 Big Score
*1 Boros Charm
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Inventory Management
*1 Judgment Bolt
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Unexpected Windfall
*1 Wear // Tear
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Cathartic Reunion
*1 Cleansing Nova
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Overpowering Attack
*1 Secret Rendezvous
*1 Seize the Day
*1 Single Combat
*1 Unfinished Business
*1 Wake the Past
*1 What Must Be Done
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Forge Anew
*1 Sigarda&#039;s Aid
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Abstergo Entertainment
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Fabled Passage
*1 Furycalm Snarl
*1 Inspiring Vantage
*8 Mountain
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Opal Palace
*1 Path of Ancestry
*8 Plains
*1 Rabanastre, Royal City
*1 Rugged Prairie
*1 Rustvale Bridge
*1 Sacred Peaks
*1 Sunbaked Canyon
*1 Sundown Pass
*1 Sunscorched Divide
*1 Temple of Triumph
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Rebel With A Cause</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beatrix, Loyal General"></div></div>
<p>We begin with Cloud himself. Boros Equipment decks are nothing new in this series, as this is the third iteration. That said, I'm doing this list a tad differently this time, a small restriction that extends to the Sephiroth list as well: this deck was built with the <em>Final Fantasy Starter Kits</em> in mind. Now, that product isn't made for Commander, but it's a small starting point (Or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Starting Town" href="#" target="_blank">Starting Town</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, as it were). While, at time of writing, we don't have the lists, the contents were leaked a while ago. With all the rares officially revealed before the lists, the stars aligned, and all of them are in here.</p>
<p>Since the last time, we gained access to some new stuff. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beatrix, Loyal General" href="#" target="_blank">Beatrix, Loyal General</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will let us dump our Equipment on one creature during combat. This, ideally, would be Cloud, since he'll have double strike and indestructible. Moreover, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms" href="#" target="_blank">Gilgamesh, Master-at-Arms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> compliments her very well, seeing as we can slam any number of Equipment we find from his trigger. Thirdly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Item Shopkeep" href="#" target="_blank">Item Shopkeep</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will give an attacking equipped creature menace, making them harder to block.</p>
<p>Thanks to the set's bonus sheet, we now have access to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sram, Senior Edificer|fca|3" href="#" target="_blank">Sram, Senior Edificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (skinned as Firion, Swordmaster), letting us draw cards. Next, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cid, Freeflier Pilot" href="#" target="_blank">Cid, Freeflier Pilot</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, who recurs Equipment, and makes them cost less to cast again.</p>
<h2>Expanding the Armory</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Embercleave"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sunforger"></div></div>
<p>If you're looking for some in-universe cards too add, there's plenty to tap into. The rest of the Sword of X and Y cycle (as well as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Wealth and Power" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Wealth and Power</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) becomes available to us. Further, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Embercleave" href="#" target="_blank">Embercleave</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is brutal to put onto Cloud, if you can reduce the cost low enough to cast it during combat. Thirdly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Reaver Cleaver" href="#" target="_blank">The Reaver Cleaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will surely give us lots of Treasure tokens to use if the equipped creature connects.</p>
<p>If you want to retool Cloud, and give him a more controlling slant, look no further than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunforger" href="#" target="_blank">Sunforger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. There's a lot of amazing spells that meet the criteria within Cloud's colors (including a couple of Game Changers, if that's what you're into). As long as you keep reequipping Cloud with Sunforger, and having mana open, you'd be in a good position to respond to someone who might try and disrupt your board.</p>
<p>Next, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fighter Class" href="#" target="_blank">Fighter Class</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was made for this kind of deck (an aside: DnD cards aren't <em>Universes Beyond </em>cards, but they're also not in-universe, but they still count for this section). Secondly, a number of the Nahiri planeswalker variants work for the deck. I'd pick <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nahiri, the Lithomancer" href="#" target="_blank">Nahiri, the Lithomancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> because of the utility she provides (be sure to add <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skullclamp" href="#" target="_blank">Skullclamp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as well if you do).</p>
<h2>Play the Victory Tune</h2>
<p>Concluding this half of the article, and looking back, there was a noticeable difference between the past article and this one (besides the Starter Kit restriction): One had you focus on going wide, but Cloud wants you to put all of your eggs into one basket, Voltron-style. The <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kassandra, Eagle Bearer" href="#" target="_blank">Kassandra, Eagle Bearer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck from that article was more about going wide, using as many legendary Equipment as possible (and <em>Final Fantasy </em>has those in spades!).</p>
<p>That said, let's see about his opponent...</p>
<h2>Sephiroth, Planet's Heir Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-Sephiroth" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Sephiroth, Planet&#039;s Heir
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Archfiend of Depravity
*1 Baleful Strix
*1 Gaius van Baelsar
*1 Merciless Executioner
*1 Morbid Opportunist
*1 Pitiless Plunderer
*1 Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER // Sephiroth, One-Winged Angel
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Summon: Anima
*1 Ultimecia, Temporal Threat
*1 Xande, Dark Mage
*1 Zenos yae Galvus // Shinryu, Transcendent Rival
*1 Zodiark, Umbral God
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Blight Grenade
*1 Bone Splinters
*1 Deadly Embrace
*1 Deep Analysis
*1 Exsanguinate
*1 Extract from Darkness
*1 Feed the Swarm
*1 Great Intelligence&#039;s Plan
*1 Languish
*1 Lórien Revealed
*1 Mutilate
*1 Night&#039;s Whisper
*1 Quantum Misalignment
*1 Reanimate
*1 Rite of Replication
*1 Toxic Deluge
*1 Windfall
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Ashnod&#039;s Altar
*1 Brotherhood Regalia
*1 Endless Atlas
*1 Genesis Chamber
*1 Gilded Lotus
*1 Hedron Archive
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Magitek Scythe
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Mithril Coat
*1 Shadowspear
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Talisman of Dominance
*1 The Masamune
*1 Thought Vessel
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Bastion of Remembrance
*1 Black Market
*1 Black Market Connections
*1 Phyrexian Reclamation
*1 Propaganda
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 An Offer You Can&#039;t Refuse
*1 Counterspell
*1 Cyber Conversion
*1 Deadly Dispute
*1 Dismember
*1 Flatline
*1 Orcish Medicine
*1 Overkill
*1 Sephiroth&#039;s Intervention
*1 V.A.T.S.
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*1 Abstergo Entertainment
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Bojuka Bog
*1 Choked Estuary
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Contaminated Aquifer
*1 Darkwater Catacombs
*1 Drowned Catacomb
*1 Fabled Passage
*1 Fetid Pools
*7 Island
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Reliquary Tower
*1 River of Tears
*1 Shipwreck Marsh
*1 Sunken Hollow
*1 Sunken Ruins
*7 Swamp
*1 Tainted Isle
*1 Temple of Deceit
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Treno, Dark City
*1 Underground River
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>It's Time To Bring Despair to <em>Magic: The Gathering</em></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER"></div></div>
<p>WARNING: If you love your friends, do <em>not</em> use this deck. You'll lose them by game's end.</p>
<p>In case you haven't figured out why, this is a removal-themed deck. We're blowing up everyone and everything (and stabbing Aeriths along the way) because it helps make our commander bigger and more lethal. That said, all that removal helps clear the way for Sephiroth to get through and impale our opponents with that massively long sword.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blight Grenade" href="#" target="_blank">Blight Grenade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> takes out a creature, then gives everything else -3/-3, perhaps wiping out an army of tokens. Next, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archfiend of Depravity" href="#" target="_blank">Archfiend of Depravity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will ensure no one's board gets monstrously huge. However, for a real wipe, cast a kicked <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rite of Replication" href="#" target="_blank">Rite of Replication</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on our commander (even better if it's a token made from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quantum Misalignment" href="#" target="_blank">Quantum Misalignment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>). This will kill our commander, but they all enter, essentially wiping the board.</p>
<p>All this said, I do want to give a paragraph to one card in particular: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER" href="#" target="_blank">Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This card is the lynchpin of the deck. You want to trigger him as much as you possibly can so you can flip him and get the emblem (Am I the only one who thinks the <em>Super Nova</em> ability is a flavor fail? Nothing like in the games to me). That said, you also want to keep him (and/or our commander) around long enough to make them threats. Fortunately, there's a few ways to do so, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Orcish Medicine" href="#" target="_blank">Orcish Medicine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h2>Looking Beyond <em>Final Fantasy</em></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Not Dead After All"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deadeye Navigator"></div></div>
<p>Firstly, I'd retool the deck to be akin to those infamous Scam decks that terrorized Modern in recent years. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Undying Evil" href="#" target="_blank">Undying Evil</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Not Dead After All" href="#" target="_blank">Not Dead After All</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would be great to keep Sephiroth from perishing while we wipe the board. On the other hand, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Massacre Girl" href="#" target="_blank">Massacre Girl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Massacre Wurm" href="#" target="_blank">Massacre Wurm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> clear the board to make Sephiroth bigger (provided he didn't die in the aftermath).</p>
<p>Secondly, we also gain access to blue's blink effects, abusing our commander's ability to wipe the board, and perhaps soft-lock it. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Displacer Kitten" href="#" target="_blank">Displacer Kitten</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deadeye Navigator" href="#" target="_blank">Deadeye Navigator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> stand among the best of these, repeatedly blinking Sephiroth and making our opponents (perhaps) very salty. While not a blink spell, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Drivnod, Carnage Dominus" href="#" target="_blank">Drivnod, Carnage Dominus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will double up on Sephiroth's death triggers, making him huge very quickly. It's an ability very akin to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Masamune" href="#" target="_blank">The Masamune</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (aka, Aerith's best friend), which is in the deck's 99 already.</p>
<p>Lastly, while we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flatline" href="#" target="_blank">Flatline</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in the deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sudden Spoiling" href="#" target="_blank">Sudden Spoiling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Polymorphist&#039;s Jest" href="#" target="_blank">Polymorphist&#039;s Jest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will also make opposing creatures much easier to kill. For an alternate win condition, look no further than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Revel in Riches" href="#" target="_blank">Revel in Riches</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It ramps us with all the creatures hitting the bin, and hitting the critical number of Treasure tokens with this deck should be a breeze.</p>
<h2>I Will Never Be a Memory</h2>
<p>In summary, this deck has to be about the most evil, diabolical deck I've come up with so far. It might be something you play once in a blue moon, then perhaps never again. Your friends won't let you bring it out again, I assure you. Then again, it does its job well.</p>
<p>In any case, both of these decks tackle the archetype in different ways. One with a more traditional approach, the other a more controlling style. That said, this is a non-budget path one could take with the Starter Kit. A budget one would drastically change both decks.</p>
<p>Hopefully you enjoyed my take on both of these commanders (and survived my mischief throughout the article. It really came out in force here. No disrespect to Aerith intended). Perhaps they might guide you in creating your own builds. Tune in next time as we dive into the second of the three long-awaited articles (It won't be like today's).</p>


Beyond the Multiverse-Cloud and Sephiroth

Building a Selesnya Tokens Commander Deck With Rinoa Heartilly

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wolverine, Best There Is" href="#" target="_blank">Wolverine, Best There Is</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artofmtg.com/artist/victor-adame-minguez/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Victor Adame Minguez</a></em></p>
<p>Hello, and welcome back to <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>. This week we're back in the <em>Marvel</em> universe. But don't worry about <em>Marvel </em>fatigue; this might be the last time until the <em>Spider-Man</em> set drops, as we're currently getting daily doses of <em>Final Fantasy</em> previews (I can barely contain my hype for the set at this point).</p>
<p>In the meantime, let's see what <em>Marvel</em> deck I should tackle next...</p>
<p><em>Snikt!</em></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wolverine, Best There Is"></div></div>
<p>Oh, right.</p>
<p>Without further ado, let's look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wolverine, Best There Is" href="#" target="_blank">Wolverine, Best There Is</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h2>The Wolverine of Canada</h2>
<p>Wolverine is an alias of James Howlett (aka Logan) who was born in Alberta, Canada. He was most prominent as a member of the X-Men, and has been one of the Avengers in some continuities. He's portrayed as a gruff loner with a rebellious attitude against authority figures. A deeper look reveals a heavily traumatized life, a struggle to balance between his human and "wild" self (including his "berserker rages"), and a code of honor and morality. He has been known to leave the team(s) for a time to deal with his issues (something we see in the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhythm of the Wild|sld|1740" href="#" target="_blank">Rhythm of the Wild</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> card depicting him.</p>
<p>His card does exactly what it says on the tin: build him up and <em>*snikt* </em>your opponents' life totals. All he wants to do is attack, and attack he will, because we're going to give our opponents a serious case of overkill. Fortunately, the <em>Universes Beyond</em> card pool helps with this, since we have a nice blend of old and new cards that can make Wolverine deadly.</p>
<h2>Going Berserk With Wolverine</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bone Sabres"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rancor|pip|205"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gimli&#039;s Fury"></div></div>
<p>We'll need ways to power Wolverine up. He starts with a small statline, so we'll need to make him bigger. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bone Sabres" href="#" target="_blank">Bone Sabres</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (22,152 decks) will give him four +1/+1 counters on attack, making him a lethal threat. Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Power Fist" href="#" target="_blank">Power Fist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (44,023 decks) gives him trample, and also gives him a lot of counters whenever he connects to a player (a lovely synergy with his first ability, which I'll get to momentarily). Thirdly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Champion&#039;s Helm|fic|337" href="#" target="_blank">Champion&#039;s Helm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (68,400 decks) serves two purposes: it gives Wolverine a smaller buff, and it also shields him from targeted removal.</p>
<p>However, improving Wolverine's statline isn't the only way we can make him into a deadly force. Before I go over that, I need to mention that first ability, <em>Unrivaled Lethality</em>, which doubles the damage that he deals. With this, we can make him deal even more havoc. Crucially, double strike is a major player, allowing Wolverine to devastate your opponents. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chaos Terminator Lord" href="#" target="_blank">Chaos Terminator Lord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6,928 decks) gives it to him each combat. Both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fireshrieker|pip|232" href="#" target="_blank">Fireshrieker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (96,257 decks) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Spear of Leonidas" href="#" target="_blank">The Spear of Leonidas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (21,477 decks) provide double strike, and the Spear comes with additional utility as well, if needed.</p>
<p>In addition, trample is another keyword that works with Wolverine. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rancor" href="#" target="_blank">Rancor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (128,140 decks) gives his power a small buff, but also gives him the trample ability. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shadowspear|sld|1505" href="#" target="_blank">Shadowspear</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Totec's Spear; 199,617 decks) bestows the trample, lifelink, and tears down indestructible and hexproof creatures as well. In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Loxodon Warhammer|sld|1034" href="#" target="_blank">Loxodon Warhammer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Ghal Maraz, the Great Shatterer; 106,676 decks) does this with an even bigger boost to his power. Thirdly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodcrusher of Khorne" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodcrusher of Khorne</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (14,807 decks) gives trample to all of our creatures. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gimli&#039;s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Gimli&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6,330 decks) is a one shot that can potentially eliminate opponents with a jump-scare.</p>
<h2>Of Immortality and Regeneration</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bombadil&#039;s Song"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rhythm of the Wild|sld|1740"></div></div>
<p>Wolverine has the ability to regenerate himself, but we can't always rely on that because it requires two mana open. Worse, you may have to protect him multiple times, as he is a removal magnet. Fortunately we have other ways to protect him. I mentioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Champion&#039;s Helm" href="#" target="_blank">Champion&#039;s Helm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and that helps. In addition, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mithril Coat" href="#" target="_blank">Mithril Coat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (257,689 decks) grants him indestructibility, especially at instant speed, and can auto-equip onto Wolverine. Further, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroic Intervention|sld|1750" href="#" target="_blank">Heroic Intervention</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (821,880 decks) protects our board while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bombadil&#039;s Song" href="#" target="_blank">Bombadil&#039;s Song</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (16,261 decks) protects just our commander. Finally, since Wolverine will be subject to counterspells when casting him, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhythm of the Wild" href="#" target="_blank">Rhythm of the Wild</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (302,108 decks) ensures that he gets to land while rudely telling those pesky blue players to bother someone else.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rite of Passage|sld|1739" href="#" target="_blank">Rite of Passage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (15,550 decks) can grow Wolverine with each time he's dealt damage, but be sure to keep him from dying when doing so. Lastly, if Wolverine gets too expensive to cast, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Command Beacon|sld|1533" href="#" target="_blank">Command Beacon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (269,829 decks) can be sacrificed to get him out of the command zone, so you can cast him again.</p>
<h2>Wolverine, Best There Is Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-SNIKT!" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Wolverine, Best There Is
[/Commander]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bone Sabres
*1 Champion&#039;s Helm
*1 Endless Atlas
*1 Excalibur, Sword of Eden
*1 Fireshrieker
*1 Gimli&#039;s Axe
*1 Hunter&#039;s Bow
*1 Loxodon Warhammer
*1 Mithril Coat
*1 Power Fist
*1 Shadowspear
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 The Great Henge
*1 The Ozolith
*1 The Spear of Leonidas
*1 Unlicensed Hearse
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Beast Within
*1 Berserk
*1 Bombadil&#039;s Song
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Entish Restoration
*1 Gimli&#039;s Fury
*1 Harrow
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Inscription of Abundance
*1 Krosan Grip
*1 Unexpected Windfall
[/Instants]
[Creatures]
*1 Atalan Jackal
*1 Birds of Paradise
*1 Bloodcrusher of Khorne
*1 Bloodthirster
*1 Cavern-Hoard Dragon
*1 Chaos Terminator Lord
*1 Crimson Caravaneer
*1 Delighted Halfling
*1 Scourge of the Throne
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 Cathartic Reunion
*1 Chandra&#039;s Ignition
*1 Cultivate
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Farseek
*1 Harmonize
*1 Hull Breach
*1 Overpowering Attack
*1 Rampant Growth
*1 Seize the Day
*1 Three Visits
*1 Wreck and Rebuild
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Gimli&#039;s Reckless Might
*1 Grim Reaper&#039;s Sprint
*1 Hardened Scales
*1 Rancor
*1 Rhythm of the Wild
*1 Rising of the Day
*1 Rite of Passage
*1 Shiny Impetus
*1 Stolen Strategy
*1 Unnatural Growth
*1 Wild Wasteland
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Cinder Glade
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Dining Room
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fabled Passage
*9 Forest
*1 Game Trail
*9 Mountain
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Opal Palace
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Rockfall Vale
*1 Rootbound Crag
*1 Sheltered Thicket
*1 Temple of Abandon
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
*1 Thriving Bluff
*1 Thriving Grove
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Using Deadly Force</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Berserk|sld|1738"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scourge of the Throne|ltc|225"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Overpowering Attack"></div></div>
<p>If I was using in-universe cards with this list, we'd get a lot more power-doubling cards in here. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Berserk" href="#" target="_blank">Berserk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (24,694 decks) is like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gimli&#039;s Fury" href="#" target="_blank">Gimli&#039;s Fury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in that it can kill someone out of nowhere. In addition, we can regenerate Wolverine and nullify Berserk's end step trigger, ensuring his survival. In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unnatural Growth" href="#" target="_blank">Unnatural Growth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (162,583 decks) makes Wolverine's stats double. A high enough statline will make this lethal.</p>
<p>That said, what we also really need are extra combat steps. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seize the Day|sld|480" href="#" target="_blank">Seize the Day</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Round Two; 63,495 decks) only targets Wolverine, but it can be cast again from your graveyard for, befitting its <em>Universes Beyond </em>name, a second round of combat. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodthirster" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodthirster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (which is also really good with double strike, by the way) and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scourge of the Throne" href="#" target="_blank">Scourge of the Throne</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (44,711 decks and 70,116 decks, respectively) are two creatures that achieve this, with the former netting us multiple combat steps if the stars align.</p>
<p>Moreover, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grim Reaper&#039;s Sprint" href="#" target="_blank">Grim Reaper&#039;s Sprint</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (19,267 decks) gives a small buff to Wolverine as well as the above, but a creature will need to die to cast it cheaply. While it's not in the list, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Last Night Together" href="#" target="_blank">Last Night Together</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (9,188 decks) has two creatures attack on the next combat. That said, it provides counters and some useful keywords. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overpowering Attack" href="#" target="_blank">Overpowering Attack</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s (40,140 decks) cost can be reduced if Wolverine was able to connect the first time around.</p>
<h2>Other Cards For Wolverine</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chandra&#039;s Ignition|sld|1594"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Ozolith|sld|1741"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rising of the Day"></div></div>
<p>There's a few other noteworthy cards I wanted to mention. First of these is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chandra&#039;s Ignition" href="#" target="_blank">Chandra&#039;s Ignition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Miku's Ignition; 141,494 decks). Wolverine's first ability gives it more reach, letting you remove more creatures than you typically would. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ozolith" href="#" target="_blank">The Ozolith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (reskinned as Admantium Bonding Tank; 203,856 decks) will store any +1/+1 counters that Wolverine had, should he be removed. Then, you recast him and move the counters back on him. Next, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gimli&#039;s Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Gimli&#039;s Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (7,820 decks) not only gives our commander a big power boost, but the Equipment grants him evasion as well.</p>
<p>Next, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hunter&#039;s Bow" href="#" target="_blank">Hunter&#039;s Bow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gimli&#039;s Reckless Might" href="#" target="_blank">Gimli&#039;s Reckless Might</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (11,306 and 20,745 decks, respectively) allow Wolverine to pick off opposing creatures (and the latter gives him haste). <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inscription of Abundance|ltc|251" href="#" target="_blank">Inscription of Abundance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (51,870 decks) packs a lot of utility: it buoys our life total, buffs Wolverine, and allows him to pick off a pesky creature. Speaking of haste, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rising of the Day" href="#" target="_blank">Rising of the Day</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (138,156 decks) gives our commander a tiny buff, but it more importantly gives him haste. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Excalibur, Sword of Eden" href="#" target="_blank">Excalibur, Sword of Eden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (61,469 decks) is among the most terrifying cards in the deck. Equipping it to our commander means he's automatically in lethal range, whether it'd be commander damage, or ordinary damage.</p>
<p>We also have a couple of creatures that could use a boost to achieve their effects. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Atalan Jackal" href="#" target="_blank">Atalan Jackal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (26,236 decks) ramps us on connecting, and it already has trample and taste. Also, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crimson Caravaneer" href="#" target="_blank">Crimson Caravaneer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (6,082 decks) comes with double strike and trample, plus nets us some treasure tokens when it connects. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cavern-Hoard Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Cavern-Hoard Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (70,080 decks) gives us a ton of Treasures when they hit someone relying too much on their precious trinkets. Unlike the other two, the Dragon doesn't need much support, since it's got a decent statline.</p>
<h2>We're Done Here, Bub</h2>
<p>In conclusion, the stars mostly aligned with this build. Using the <em>Universes Beyond</em> card pool, most of the key pieces found their way into the deck, and I'm sure there will be more support for Wolverine in the future (a reskinned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Xenagos, God of Revels" href="#" target="_blank">Xenagos, God of Revels</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> would be nice). This deck is one of those where you don't want to do any thinking and help wind down for the night. Simple decks like that are good to have on hand.</p>
<p>Half of the <em>Marvel</em> legends are now covered, and at this point I'm using multiple legends from certain sets. I imagine we could do with a break from the likes of <em>The Lord of the Rings</em>, and find something fresh. Maybe something from the <em>Secret Lair Drops</em>, perhaps (provided, of course, I can assemble the deck with the card pool)?</p>
<p>On a different note, I did receive an idea for an article a little bit ago, and I'll soon get to it. Feel free to let me know in the comments which <em>Universes Beyond </em>commander you'd like me to cover next, especially those from franchises I haven't covered yet. Join me next time when we venture off the beaten path for a change of scenery.</p>


Owain Roberts